…Critics have been urging me to rescind my “Decree Regarding Same-sex ‘Marriage’ and Related Pastoral Issues.” However, this decree is a rather straightforward application of existing Catholic doctrine and canon law to the new situation of legal marital status being granted in civil law to same-sex couples, which is contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church. All clergy before they are ordained take an Oath of Fidelity which includes the statement, “In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it. I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church and I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law.” Pastors and bishops repeat this oath upon assuming their office to be exercised in the name of the Church. Thus, deacons, priests and bishops cannot contradict Church teachings or refuse to observe ecclesiastical laws without violating their oath, which is a promise made to God.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki to Offer “Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-sex Marriage”

SPRINGFIELD — Scheduled for approximately the same time that Gov. Pat Quinn signs into Illinois law the redefinition of civil marriage, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will offer “Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage” at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sixth and Lawrence streets in Springfield, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. Clergy, religious and laity are invited to attend.

“The context for this prayer service may be understood by recalling the words of Pope Francis when he faced a similar situation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 2010,” Bishop Paprocki said.

Regarding the proposed redefinition of civil marriage in Argentina, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote on June 22, 2010: “The Argentine people must face, in the next few weeks, a situation whose result may gravely harm the family. It is the bill on matrimony of persons of the same sex. The identity of the family, and its survival, are in jeopardy here: father, mother, and children. The life of so many children who will be discriminated beforehand due to the lack of human maturity that God willed them to have with a father and a mother is in jeopardy. At stake is the total rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts. … Let us not be naive: it is not a simple political struggle; it is an intention [which is] destructive of the plan of God. It is not a mere legislative project (this is a mere instrument), but rather a ‘move’ of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

Bishop Paprocki noted, “The pope’s reference to the ‘father of lies’ comes from the Gospel of John (8:44), where Jesus refers to the devil as ‘a liar and the father of lies.’ So Pope Francis is saying that same-sex ‘marriage’ comes from the devil and should be condemned as such.”

The prayers for “Supplication and Exorcism Which May Be Used in Particular Circumstances of the Church” are taken from the Appendices to the 2004 Latin edition of the Rite of Exorcism, the introduction to which explains, “The presence of the Devil and other demons appears and exists not only in the tempting or tormenting of persons, but also in the penetration of things and places in a certain manner by their activity, and in various forms of opposition to and persecution of the church. If the diocesan bishop, in particular situations, judges it appropriate to announce gatherings of the faithful for prayer, under the leadership and direction of a priest, elements for arranging a rite of supplication may be taken from [the texts provided in these appendices].”

Bishop Paprocki said that since same-sex marriage is contrary to the plan of God (see Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9), those who contract civil same-sex marriage are culpable of serious sin. He also noted that politicians who enacted civil same-sex marriage legislation are “morally complicit as co-operators in facilitating this grave sin.”

“It is scandalous that so many Catholic politicians are responsible for enabling the passage of this legislation and even twisting the words of the pope to rationalize their actions despite the clear teaching of the church,” he said. “All politicians now have the moral obligation to work for the repeal of this sinful and objectionable legislation. We must pray for deliverance from this evil which has penetrated our state and our church.”

Bishop Paprocki concluded, “Pope Francis has also urged us to be mindful of God’s mercy, so it is good to recall the profound expression of divine mercy uttered by Jesus as he was dying on the cross to save us from our sins, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34).”

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is 130 parishes in 28 counties in central Illinois.

About a week ago, the Rainbow Sash Movement announced its intentions to silently pray the rosary inside Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon, 45 minutes before evening Mass. Their intention? That the state legislature would pass Senate Bill 10, titled the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,” legalizing same-sex “marriage” in Illinois.

“By standing up in the Cathedral you will indicate you are there to pray the rosary for marriage” redefinition, its website said. “If you come from a specific parish, you can title yourselves ‘Friends of (Name of the Parish or Parishes).’”

Bishop Thomas Paprocki, whose See is based in the capital city of Springfield, used his role as shepherd of his people to warn Christians not to profane God by asking Him to publicly degrade holy matrimony.

“It is blasphemy to show disrespect or irreverence to God or to something holy,” he said, citing several passages of the Gospel that “Jesus clearly taught that marriage as created by God is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.”

“Praying for same-sex marriage should be seen as blasphemous, and as such will not be permitted in the cathedral,” he warned. “People wearing a rainbow sash or who otherwise identify themselves as affiliated with the Rainbow Sash Movement will not be admitted into the cathedral, and anyone who gets up to pray for same-sex marriage in the cathedral will be asked to leave.”

“Of course, our cathedral and parish churches are always open to everyone who wishes to repent their sins and ask for God’s forgiveness,” the bishop added.

On Saturday, November 27th at 11 a.m. in Chicago and on Tuesday, November 30th at 12 p.m. in Springfield, tradition will continue, despite “Political Correctness” to eradicate the “Reason for the Season” across the United States. Families are invited to gather in both cities to celebrate the birth of Jesus as the nativity scene is displayed. See details below for each city.

Chicago:

On Saturday, November 27th at 11:00 a.m. families will gather in Daley Plaza at Dearborn and Washington Streets in downtown Chicago, to celebrate the annual dedication of the Chicago Nativity Scene.

“The Nativity Scene has been an annual tradition in Daley Plaza since 1985 when the beautiful life size crèche was first displayed,” said Terrance Hodges, co-chair of the Nativity Scene Committee.

“This remains the sole religious expression of Christmas on a government plaza in downtown Chicago,” said Hodges. “The God Squad, a group of volunteer tradesmen, will erect the stable and install the lighting as they have for the past twenty-four years.”

Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, will bless the Crèche. Other members of the clergy will offer prayers to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The children in attendance will have the honor of placing the Baby Jesus in His manger, marking the continued return of the Christ Child to His rightful place in the hearts of the Chicago community.

The bell choir from Santa Maria del Popolo Catholic Church in Mundelein, Illinois, will ring in the sacred season, along with the singing of Christmas hymns.

Daley Plaza is a popular destination for Chicagoans and visitors to wrap themselves in the Christmas spirit throughout the festive season. The Nativity Scene Committee invites all Chicago area families to join them on Saturday, November 27th, to inaugurate the Christmas season or to stop by the Daley Plaza to visit the Christ Child when they come downtown to enjoy the decorations.

The Nativity Scene will remain in Daley Plaza throughout the Christmas season.

Springfield:

On November 30th, 2010, the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) will again host a display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. For the third year in a row, the crèche will stand in the center of the State Capitol Rotunda Building located at South 2nd Street & East Capitol Avenue in Springfield, Illinois.

In 2008, the SNSC made history when the Sec. of State’s office granted a permit to the group, allowing a Nativity Scene to go on display in the Capitol for the first time in state history. The exhibit is the only such display to stand in a state capitol across the entire United States. The crèche and manger scene will stand in the Illinois Rotunda, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution which provides for such religious expression in the public square–as long as such displays are privately-funded and temporary in nature.

The SNSC’s primary goal is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A secondary mission of the group is to inform the public regarding the constitutionality of such expressions of faith in the public square.

The Chicago-based Thomas More Society will, once again, provide financial and legal support for the SNSC.

The Nativity Scene will be officially unveiled in a ceremony beginning at 12 Noon on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010. Christmas carols will be performed by the combined choirs of St. Alexander Catholic Church of Villa Park. An invocation will be given by the Rev. Bernie Lutchman of Business Men In Christ (Springfield).

Short speeches will be given by Springfield Nativity Scene Committee members, including Daniel T. Zanoza, Chairman; Thomas Brejcha, Esq., SNSC’s legal counsel and President of the Chicago-based Thomas More Society; David E. Smith, Executive Director, Illinois Family Institute; and Beth Rogers, an influential pro-family activist from Springfield. The Master of Ceremonies for the opening day ceremony will be Julie Zanoza of Lincoln.

The Nativity scene will be on display during normal business hours from November 30th through Christmas.

The current transition to newly elected representatives gives rise to the need to make our presence more widely known in the public square. Thus, you are invited to attend the first Catholics at the Capitol Day on March 4th in Springfield .

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., the Illinois Bishops as well as the various representatives of the Catholic community are inviting you to join us in Springfield to meet with our lawmakers about topics important to the Catholic community and all people of good will. The purpose of the event is to promote our gospel values in the public square. It is clear that our voice is needed now more than ever, your active participation is vital to improving the integrity of our civic affairs.

Background fact sheets will be sent to you prior to the event as well as information about what to do once you arrive at the state capitol. For a nominal fee transportation is being provided from Chicago . Part of the day will include a rally with Catholic school children. There are seven legislative initiatives that are the focus of Catholics at the Capitol.

legislation to increase the Education Expense Tax Credit, utilized by Catholic school parents, from $500 to $1000 annually;

funding to community organizations and parishes to provide English classes to immigrants;

legislation mandating that a woman seeking an abortion be offered the opportunity to view a sonogram before the procedure;

legislation to ensure federal and state reimbursements are provided to Catholic health care and hospitals on a timely basis;

legislation to finally abolish the death penalty;

legislation or budgetary action to provide a cost of doing business increase for Catholic Charities and other social service providers;

Registration forms for this event can be found at catholicconferenceofillinois.orgor you can call 312-368-1066 for further information. In order to receive background material prior to the event it is helpful to register and if possible, provide an e-mail address.